If our solar system was reduce in size to a CD the Milky Way Galaxy would be the size of the Earth.
No worries though, if we achieve spaceflight within a few decimal points of the speed of light we could circumnavigate the known Universe in 56 years. Unfortunately, when we return home the Sun will be a white dwarf and our Earth a small cindered rock 10s of billions of years in the future.
The famous picture of the Pale Blue Dot (above) is exquisitely commented on by Carl Sagan.
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As Sagan notes, the Pale Blue Dot picture is not only humbling but sobering as well. Sagan observes that "Earth is the only world known so far to harbor life." Although, in a never-ending universe, anything can happen, and life on Earth and other Earth-like planets, is possible, it is not probable. The existence of intelligent life is even less probable. It may be that in the great vastness of the universe, we are the only beings aware of its existence. Without us, the universe would be cast into a void, totally unknown or unknowable – a lot of stuff with absolutely no consequence.
It seems to me that we are under a considerable obligation to keep our species alive and well and aware; and to continue pushing the boundaries of our knowledge about the cosmos. Somebody had better chronicle all this.
With great power comes great responsibility. “Uncle” Ben Parker
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